Merriest Christmas 2020

Merriest from JB, Susie, Will (16), Annelise (14), & Bailey!

(We took this pic 3 weeks ago at Brookwood, right before Annelise went back to her cool burgundy hair, again.) It’s the first Christmas card I’ve done in the last 5 years!

Annual homemade gingerbread house decorating with BFFs, Carly & Trey:

(They may all be in high school now, but they still want this tradition!) I made the dough from scratch with a new recipe this year, because I wanted construction-grade gingerbread that wouldn’t sag or fall apart; I was nervous it wouldn’t be very tasty, since I made it to be strong, but it’s actually the best-tasting in ages!!!

Adding to the cacophony of Great Conjunction/Christmas Star fun - even though they were further apart Sunday night, Dec 20th, our view was way better:

(I had to teach my StudioSmile classes Monday during the closest conjunction, so I missed the peak viewing.)

Annual Santa pic 2020:

(The lighting quality was awful to cut down on their plexiglass glare, but it’s SUCH a cute pic of our teens!) All our friends kept saying that they wouldn’t even recognize them now. I say it’s the hair!!! (& Annelise’s Tina Fey glasses (she doesn’t really need them - it’s the smallest prescription you can get & only in one eye; she really just likes the look.)

New versions of old traditions: our candlelight Christmas Eve service was *outside* this year! We sat in the bed of our truck; it was COLD (our one day of cold snap just happened to be Dec 24th - in the 40’s) but we got to bring BAILEY! Yay, for the Christmas Beagle at church!

Christmas Morning 2020 - the most content, satisfying Christmas I can remember!!! Maybe our personal challenges have altered our threshold of expectations; maybe it’s the kids being older & understanding more; maybe it’s the answered prayers of peace washing over us... ❤️ Whatever the case, this has been the most grateful & least unreasonable Christmas ever!